MAJOR apologies for not posting for ages. Unbelievably busy! Thank you so much everyone for your reviews, hoping to check out all your stories when have some free time, sure it is all amazing! Enjoy :)

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Me and Arthur stood hand in hand outside the warehouse we used for our meetings. It was nearly noon.

"I don't see any other way of getting through this."

"I can. Leg it. Block Eames off our cell phones and elope to Paris?"

I grinned at Arthur, feeling the tension between us break. Wrapping my arms around him, I reasoned "The longer we put it off, the worse the situation will be when we finally face it."

He groaned. "I don't think it could be worse than it already is!"

I replayed the scene where Eames caught us kissing, and grimaced. "True. But look on the bright side."

"And what bright side is that?"

I looked into his eyes. "We both found out we love each other." Arthur smiled gloriously, and kissed me.

We both stayed like that for a while, caught up in each others arms and our memories, until a loud tolling of the bell told us that it was noon. Time to face the music.

"Well, well, well, thought you'd never show. Took you long enough."

Eames was reclining on his chair, a with an expression that was a cross between a devilish look and a child on christmas morning. It was rather disturbing. I could feel Arthur's obvious embarrassment and stress radiating through our almost touching hands, and a spark of inspiration shot through me.

Linking my hand in Arthur's, I felt his jolt of suprise. "Sorry. We were having such fun that we didn't really want to come at all. Being in love is such a joy." I smiled innocently at Eames, and my lack of chagrin obviously unhinged him. Arthur quickly caught on.

"Yes, I was just saying to my darling Ariadne," I had to bite my cheek from cracking up in laughter, "how sorry I feel for those who aren't in a successful relationship."

"Or never have been" I added daringly. Eames turned red at this and turned away, muttering profanities under his breath. I couldn't help it, and neither could Arthur. We both burst into laughter just as Cobb and Yusif walked into the room.

Both reactions were different. Yusif was clearly delighted. He had obviously heard from Eames about us and probably unsure as to how much truth was actually in it. Seeing us happy made him happy, which was one of the reasons I loved him being on the team so much.
Cobb, however, looked impassive. I would have gladly taken this than Eames' mockery, but I did expect some sort of emotion from Cobb and it bothered me much more than it should have done.

"Ariadne. I need a word."

Uh oh. I followed Cobb into his office, feeling much like a student who has done something wrong at school. Sitting down, I waited for Cobb to say something.

"Ari, I'm-I'm really sorry for what I said on the phone. I became too fixated with the job."

Well I hadn't expected that.

"Cobb, it's fine. I know what it must've looked like, but I really was trying to get out of the situation. I'm sorry if I messed up after yelling at him."

"No, you didn't. Ford has already inquired at the 'company' we pretended you were from. He's still interested, you made a good impression. I gather he likes fiesty women." Cobb winked at me, and my worry eased instantly.

"But it's not all good news here Ari. I don't know if you still want to go ahead with this job-"

"I do."

"Ok. But remember that if you truly love Arthur, which I gather you do since I've watched you hide your love for him since the fischer job," (jeesh did everyone know?) "then you have to take into account his thoughts as well as yours. I don't want him or you to get hurt in this job."

"Hurt?"

"Yes. I don't know how close you plan on getting to Ford, but every moment you spend with him will torture Arthur. Remember that."

The thought of Arthur in pain sickened me, and I promised myself I would never get too close to Ford.

"I'll remember. Thanks Cobb."

He nodded to me and we both left the office. Arthur wrinkled his forehead at me, and I mouthed 'Nothing to worry about.' Raising an eyebrow, he gave me a sceptical look and mouthed back 'I can read you all too easily. You're clearly worried.' It still annoyed me how Arthur could read me easily, and yet I could get get a clue on him. Typical. I opened my mouth to silently retort when he shook his head, nodded to a clearly scrutinising Eames beside him, rolled his eyes and mouthed 'Talk later.'

Cobb stepped in to explain what had happened with Ford calling the company. I didn't miss how Arthur looked at me. Typically, Eames was the one to speak up first.

"What? So we're still going ahead?" His tone clearly showed his suprise, and weirdly enough, concern.

"Yes." Cobb sounded like he wanted to steer away from this conversation, but Eames once again made sure he voiced his feelings.

"And Ari is ok with that?"

I'd just about had enough of him.

"Eames, it's my decision, I am a grown woman, not a child, and can make my own decisions. Thank you for your concern." I was a bit snappish, but he hadn't exactly put me in the best mood today.

He flushed slightly. "Well, seeing as you and Arthur have finally got together, I was just trying to be considerate of your relationship. My sincerest apologies for caring."

Oops. I felt horrible. I'd immediately assumed he was trying to prod at our relationship when actually he did care about it, and I remembered his encouraging back when Arthur didn't know how I felt. Nice one, Ari.

Cobb saved the awkward silence. "Well anyway, Ford has said that he wants to meet you for a 'business' lunch at 3pm. Are you sure you're up for it?"

I nodded, feeling all eyes on me. Man, love is complicated.

"Ow! Shit, ow!" I tumbled to the floor in an oh so elegant fashion as my heel got caught on the stair, twisted my ankle, and then proceeded to make me fall.

Arthur looked like he was having a hard time not busting up laughing as he helped me up. "Are you ok?"

"No! I am not," I threw the shoes across the room, "wearing these shoes! Neither am I going. I'll make a fool of myself."

Arthur rolled his eyes. "I'd forgotten how dramatic you could be when you're in a strop. Ari, breathe. It'll be fine. He'll be dazzled by you, how could he not?" He stroked his fingers along my cheek, cupping my chin and bringing his face close to mine. My breath caught, I was utterly mesmerised. Then I frowned.

"It's really not fair when you do that."

Arthur smirked and ran a hand through his hair. "What?"

"Attempt to seduce me. I can't think when you go all sexy on me." Oh God. I had not just said that had I?

"Sexy? Ooo you think I'm sexy."

"Shut up!"

I shoved him and he wrestled me to the ground, tickling me until be both collapsed into laughter. I was very aware of how his face was close to mine, and I kissed him enthusiastically, loving how I could do that whenever I pleased. Rolling on top of him, I deepened the kiss, until hands pulled back my face.

"Oh Ari. And you accuse me of seducing you!"

I blushed. "You're the one who wrestled me to the ground! What was I meant to do?"

He laughed. "Trust me, I would love to. But Eames is going to come through that door any moment now and comment on your outfit, and we don't want it getting crumpled." My blush deepened, which only made his grin widen. I shoved him again and went to pick up the annoyingly unpractical shoes.

Tugging them on with difficulty, I stood in front of the mirror, feeling deja vu all over again. This time however, I wasn't sure what to think. I stood in a tight pencil skirt and chiffon blouse, looking 'businesslike but fashionable', as Eames put it.

"So, Mr Sexypants. Am I desirable enough?" I joked to Arthur.

"Well, Ari, although I fully acknowledge how gorgeous I am, I don't think it's appropriate to use the term when you have a boyfriend."

Eames stood imposingly in the doorway. I swear fate has a way of that man turning up at the most embarrassing times!

"And yes," he continued, "I would say you are extremely desirable. And I say that with completely no romantic feelings." He added hastily to Arthur, who shook his head in amusement.

I sighed. "Come on then, let's get this thing over and done with."

They both laughed. "I love your enthusiasm!" Arthur said. He took my face in his hands and kissed me passionately. I pouted slightly when he had to pull back, and he mouthed 'later' at me. God, as much as I hated to admit it, he was very sexy.

As Arthur left the room, I realised I had something to say to Eames. I cleared my throat.

"Hey, I'm really sorry for snapping at you earlier. I was just worried about the whole Ford thing cause I don't want it to upset Arthur." I blurted my fears out, and suddenly felt very vulnerable.

Eames came over and pulled me into a warm hug. "I know. Don't worry about Arthur, he's really a soppy sod at heart and would do anything for you, and I know that he will trust you on this. So. Stop. Stressing." I pulled back and shared his smile.

"Much better." Eames approved.

"Well, we better get going so I can spend time with the kind of guy I hate in life, make him fall in love with me, and hopefully keep my relationship with Arthur intact along the way."

"Piece of cake." Eames laughed.